Chapter 8 Am I Kidnapped?

Amanda’s POV We drove through the dark night until we reached a huge mansion with high gates and a sophisticated security system. It looked like a palace, but darker, more secretive. The gates opened automatically as we approached, and we drove into a vast courtyard. The place was enormous and imposing. Inside, the mansion was even more impressive. The interior design and decorations were beautiful, everything in rich dark colors and shiny metals. It was like stepping into another world. Viktor walked ahead with so much confidence, his steps echoing in the quiet halls. It was past midnight, which explained the silence, but the size of the house made it feel even emptier. We climbed a grand staircase to the upper floors, and Viktor led me to a very large room. The room had the biggest bed I had ever seen, with dark, luxurious sheets and lots of pillows. “This is my room,” he said, starting to take off his suit. My heart pounded faster when he said that. I felt out of place and nervous. "Why did you bring me to your bedroom?" I asked, my voice shaky. "You should learn not to ask too many questions, kitten. Besides, I still don’t trust you," he replied casually, continuing to undress. I stood there, frozen, feeling dirty and out of place in such a grand room. The room looked like it was made for a king, and here I was, a girl with nothing but the clothes on her back. “Relax, I’m not sleeping with you. I like my women, willing and healthy,” he said suddenly, as if he noticed my tension. Then, without warning, he pulled out his phone and took a picture of me. The flash nearly blinded me. "Hey, why did you do that?" I asked, startled. "You have not learned not to ask me questions, Amanda," he said, using my name for the first time, which made me blush despite the situation. I turned away, looking around the room, trying to distract myself. That's when I felt his hands digging into my bag. "No!" I shouted, running to stop him. "No, please." "Are you hiding something?" he asked, his voice firm. "No," I replied, trying to snatch up a piece of red fabric quickly, but he caught my hand in seconds and pulled the fabric from my grasp. We both became quiet when he saw that it was my panties I had tried to hide. He scoffed and threw the panties at my face. I rolled away before clutching them tightly in my hands. He continued to search through my old, messy bag. Just then, we both heard the sound of metal hitting the floor. “A knife?” he asked, looking down at the item between us. His voice was suspicious, his eyes narrowing as he looked back up at me. "What were you doing with a knife, Amanda?" "It's for protection," I insisted, holding the dull knife in my hands, trying to convey the urgency of my situation to him. "You don't understand how dangerous the streets are. Do you know how many men try to rape and sexually assault me?" My voice cracked a bit as I spoke, a mix of frustration and fear filling my words. Viktor remained silent, his expression growing tense. He clearly didn't believe me. His doubt hung heavy in the air between us. "You should shower, you’re filthy. I'll take the bag and your clothes for my maid to handle," he said finally, his voice firm. He reached down, picking up the knife. "I will also keep this with me. Who knows whether you planned to kill me with it in the night," he added, his gaze briefly lingering on my lips before he turned towards the door. "Please don’t come in when I’m bathing," I said quickly, trying to maintain some semblance of privacy and dignity. He scoffed at that, leaving the room without a reply, his footsteps echoing softly as he closed the door behind him. Left alone in the massive, executive bedroom, I felt incredibly small and dirty. The luxurious setting only highlighted my own rough condition. The air conditioner hummed quietly, sending chills down my skinny bones. I shivered, not just from the cold but from the surreal nature of my current circumstances. "At least I’m going to have a proper hot shower after so many weeks of bathing in supermarkets and public restrooms," I muttered to myself, managing a small smile at the thought of warm water. Walking into the bathroom, I was struck by its size—it was bigger than the last house I had stayed in. The marble tiles were cool under my feet, and the gleaming fixtures caught the light, shining brightly. I turned on the shower, and almost immediately, hot water cascaded down from the large shower head. The steam began to fill the room, fogging up the mirror and glass walls. Stepping under the shower, I let the hot water run over my body, washing away the grime and the stress of the past weeks. The warmth enveloped me, comforting and almost overwhelming in its intensity. For a moment, I forgot about Viktor, the knife, and my precarious situation. I was just a person, deserving of this small piece of comfort. As I lathered up with soap that smelled of lavender and honey, my thoughts drifted. How did I end up here? Was Viktor really going to help me, or was I just trading one type of danger for another? He was a complex man, hard to read. One moment, he seemed almost kind, and the next, he was cold and calculating. Rinsing off, I stood there for a few extra minutes, letting the water soothe my tired muscles. When I finally turned off the shower, I wrapped myself in a fluffy, oversized towel that was hanging nearby. The fabric was soft against my skin, a stark contrast to the rough clothes I had been wearing. Stepping out of the shower, I caught my reflection in the mirror. The steam had mostly cleared, and I could see myself clearly. My hair was wet, slicked back from my face, and my cheeks were flushed from the heat. For the first time in a long time, I looked... clean. Respectable. I dried off and dressed in a robe that was far too luxurious for anything I'd ever owned. It was soft and warm, and it smelled faintly of fabric softener—a comforting, homely scent. Returning to the bedroom, I felt a bit more composed, but the enormity of the mansion and the reality of my situation quickly dampened my spirits again. I was safe, for now, but at what cost? Viktor held all the power here, and I was at his mercy. Would I ever truly be free, or had I just exchanged one form of captivity for another? Despite these swirling thoughts, I couldn't deny the relief that washed over me. A proper shower, a clean robe, and a safe place to sleep—it was more than I had had in weeks. For tonight, at least, I could sleep in peace, and that was something to be grateful for. I kept looking at the massive bed not knowing what to do because Vicktor is not yet back , the sheets cool and inviting but I have to wait for him first. I allowed myself one more small smile. Tonight, I would sleep well. Tomorrow's worries could wait and I prayed silently that he is not some kind of kidnapper or a murderer.